Camilla Jessen
The actor has now shared his heartfelt final words about the legendary anthropologist.
The world mourns Jane Goodall, the pioneering primatologist who changed how we see animals and ourselves.
Leonardo DiCaprio, a longtime friend and fellow activist, has revealed his final words to her.
A World Mourns a Trailblazer
Jane Goodall, the world’s leading expert on chimpanzees and one of the most influential environmental voices of the past century, has died at 91.
The Jane Goodall Institute confirmed she passed away of natural causes on October 1, 2025, while on a speaking tour in California.
A Young Woman in a Male-Dominated Field
Goodall first made headlines in 1960, when she traveled from England to the Gombe Stream Reserve in present-day Tanzania.
Her groundbreaking observation that chimpanzees use tools — stripping twigs and grass to fish for termites — overturned long-held beliefs that tool use was a uniquely human trait.
A Relentless Advocate for the Planet
Despite not having a bachelor’s degree, she earned a Ph.D. in ethology from Cambridge in 1962, becoming one of the few people to achieve that distinction.
Over six decades, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute, authored numerous books, appeared in more than 40 documentaries, and inspired countless conservation projects around the world.
Her Mission Until the End
Goodall never stopped campaigning for the environment.
In a 2020 interview with Parade, she said, “We can just give up, or we can say, ‘We’ve done a lot of harm to the environment, but we’re going to fight for what’s left.’”
She remained on the front lines of conservation until her final days.
DiCaprio’s Farewell
Among the many tributes that followed her death was one from Leonardo DiCaprio, who called her not only a friend but a guiding light.
“Jane Goodall devoted her life to protecting our planet and giving a voice to the wild animals and the ecosystems they inhabit,” he wrote. “She inspired millions to care, to act, and to hope. She never stopped.”
“You Are My Hero”
The actor revealed the last message he shared with Goodall: “You are my hero.”
He urged his millions of followers to honor her memory by supporting the Jane Goodall Institute and continuing her fight to protect wildlife and the planet.
A Legacy Beyond Science
Goodall was not only a scientist but also a cultural icon.
Her work extended into film, including a recent collaboration with DiCaprio on Howl, a live-action feature exploring the bond between animals and the wild.
Her influence reached far beyond academia, touching activists, world leaders, and everyday people.
Family and Legacy
Jane Goodall is survived by her son, Hugo Eric Louis van Lawick, and three grandchildren.
This was reported by Newsner.
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, which may have used AI in the preparation
